An understanding of both the interactions between the adsorbate molecules and the
interactions between adsorbates and the surface is a prerequisite to eventually controlling the selfassembly process in supramolecular aggregation. Here we report the formation of supramolecular structures (J-aggregates) whose size and aggregation pattern are controlled by changing the number of polar sulfonic groups of meso-tetra (4-sulfonatophenyl) porphine. Using atomic force microscopy we show that substituted porphyrin molecules (5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl) porphine (TPPS4), 5,10,15-tris(4-sulfonatophenyl)-20-phenyl porphine (TPPS3), 5,15-bis(4-sulfonatophenyl)- 10,20-diphenyl porphyne (TPPS2op) - SO3 groups are opposite each other, and 5,20-bis(4- sulfonatophenyl)-10,15-diphenyl porphyne (TPPS2a) . SO3 groups are adjacent each other) form different spatial structures. Our findings suggest that placement of functional groups that are participating in direct noncovalent interactions will allow design and construction of different supramolecular structures adsorbed to surfaces.